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Monday, November 14, 2005

How old was Rivka when she married Yitzchak?

Like a lot of Tanach Tales, the idea that Rivkah was a mere three years of age when she married 40-year old Yitzchak has a very fine pedigree. Rashi cites it, and so do many others Great Names. (But it isn't in the Torah.) If you'd like to imagine that Yitzchak took a wife who needed a two-hour nap, and help getting dressed, go ahead, you have plenty of support. Rashi says it outright in his comment on Genesis 25:20, and seals the deal with some math.*

But what about the rest of us? How do we skeptics address the idea that one of the greatest Jews married a toddler?

The problem here isn't with Rashi or the midrshim he cites. The problem is that we got just one side of the story when we were in school. The teacher told us that Rivka was three, and that was it. We were too young to realize that this was seriously odd, and probably too timid to argue. Later, after our adult sensibilities kicked in, we had a choice to make: Should we believe this, or not? Muddying the waters are some elaborate justifications.

Luckily, there's a third way. We're Jews, remember? There are always other opinions, and in this case, the opposing views are every bit as authoritative as Rashi. Start with the Ibn Ezra. In his own comment to Genesis 22:4, he argues, rather convincgly that Yitzchak was not 37 years old at the Akeida. This matters, because the math Rashi uses to prove that Rivka was three, depends on Yitzhak being 37 at the Akeida. If Yitzchak wasn't 37 at the Akaida, Rivka was not three when she got married.

If this doesn't convince you (and it would if you weren't too lazy to check my sources) there's more: Read about it: here and here and here If you're feeling especially ambitious visit the Tosfot on Yevamot 61b (“v’chen”)

It'll make you feel so much better - so much more confidant and cheerful - the next time you roll your eyes at a True Beleiver who insists that Rivka was three and that's that.

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*This is the math that Rashi uses to support his claim that Rivka was three when she married Yitzchak. As you'll see from the other materials I posted, Rashi's math is based on some assumptions that other challenge.

1. Sarah was 90 when Yitzchok was born.

2. Sarah died at 127 immediately after the Akeidah, so Yitzchok was 37 at the Akeidah.

3. Immediately after Sarah's death Avrohom hears the news of the birth of Rivkah, so she was born when Yitzchok was 37.

4. Yitzchok was 40 when he married Rivkah, so she must have been 3 when they married.

If it relates to Jews, Judaism, holidays, Midrash,Torah, halacha or anything similar, I probably have a post on it. And if I have a post on it, I probably have a good comment thread with great reader-provided information, too.

Try a search and see for yourself. If you can't find what you're looking for ask me.

Quotes

רֹאשׁ דְּבָרְךָ אֱמֶת קוֹרֵא מֵרֹאשׁ דּוֹר וָדוֹר עַם דּוֹרֶשְׁךָ דְּרֹשׁ
Your chief word is "truth"; You've called it out since the beginning. In each generation people interpret You [for themselves] and find [their own] meaning.

You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you odd. -Flannery O'Connor

“When in the afterglow of religious insight I can see a way that is good for all humans as it is for me—I will know it is His way.” - R. Abraham Joshua Heschel

I don't accept at all the quite popular argument that the press is responsible for the monarchy's recent troubles. The monarchy's responsible for the monarchy's recent troubles. To blame the press is the old thing of blaming the messenger for the message. -Anthony Holden

Said behind my back

"...he's trying to show that there are other facets to Orthodox Judaism. That we don't all think one way and vote one way. And he's occasionally entertaining when he's not being mean-spirited" [PsychoToddler]"

"He's witty. He's funny. He appreciates the ridiculous in life, and has no qualms about telling you when he thinks that you're being a moron" [Cara]

" I'm pretty sure [DovBear] is a really great guy who just wants to be able to ask questions and talk about things without the fear of someone claiming he's off the derech or on his way there." [Chaviva]